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Housewares Show Gives Back to Five Chicago-based Charities alt
May 12, 2014
When the International Home + Housewares Show packed up at the end of their show, held March 15-18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, they encouraged their exhibitors to donate products to five local charities.   At this year’s show, 225 exhibitors took part in the donation program, a 29 percent increase, compared with donations the previous year. The charities use the products for various activities, ranging from auction items at their annual fundraising galas to merchandise in their resale shops. Charities participating in the product donation program this year were: Cystic… more
May 07, 2014
For every, single show, organizers have to evaluate not only how they are going to spend their dollars to draw people there, but also what methods they will use. In the latest in its series of reports, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research examined spending and the marketing-mix allocation for attendee promotions and marketing tactics found to be most effective in driving attendance at exhibitions - Cost to Attract Attendees. Exhibition organizers use a broad range of traditional and digital tactics to attract qualified attendees to their events. E-mail still reigns supreme, with 96… more
Apr 29, 2014
The Meetings Mean Business campaign - a national communications and advocacy platform that showcases the substantial value of meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions - recently launched an industry-wide mobile app. “It’s critically important that our industry continues to speak with one voice to communicate the value and benefits of meetings to communities, businesses and the economy,” said David Peckinpaugh, president of Maritz Travel and Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business. He added, “The MMB app is another significant tool to ensure that everyone,… more
Apr 26, 2014
The Consumer Electronics Association, owner and producer of the International CES, unveiled the results of an independent audit that confirmed a record number of international professionals – 40,828 (a 12.7 percent increase from the 2013 CES) – attended the 2014 International CES from 144 countries. Additionally, 6,757 press and industry analysts attended the show to report on the latest consumer technologies and trends.   The 2014 CES ran Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas and welcomed a record 160,498 industry professionals overall, up 5 percent, compared with 2013. The independent… more
United Fresh Foundation Will Launch Fresh Produce Pavilion at School Nutrition Association Annual Convention  alt
Apr 26, 2014
The United Fresh Foundation will host the first Fresh Produce Pavilion at the School Nutrition Association Annual Convention July 14-16 in Boston. The pavilion establishes a destination area on the trade show floor that will focus exclusively on promoting fresh fruits and vegetables.   “Our goal with this pavilion is help schools maximize their success in serving a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel.  He added, “We’re committed to helping school foodservice directors understand the ins and outs of purchasing produce, as… more
Has Your Show Been Targeted by Hotel Room Block Poachers?  alt
Apr 22, 2014
More and more shows are grappling with the issue of having their attendees duped by fraudulent housing companies that lure them in with cheap rates, take their money and then, when they show up onsite, there literally is no room at the inn. “We get clobbered over the head with this in Las Vegas,” said Larry Schur, president and COO of All Baby & Child, which runs ABC Kids Expo. Every year, thousands of attendees and exhibitors flock to the show, and every year, at least a half dozen people get taken in by what the industry calls “housing poachers” or “housing… more
Apr 21, 2014
When attendees take the time, expense and energy to spend a few days on a showfloor, they definitely want to make it worth their while. With that in mind, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research released its latest report - Exhibition Floor Interaction: What Attendees Want – that takes a look at how attendees want to engage on the showfloor. It’s no surprise that the top two answers on the survey when attendees were asked how they wanted to interact on a showfloor were through product demos (58.9 percent) or by having hands-on interaction with the products (58 percent). The… more
Apr 14, 2014
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events opened a call for nominations for its annual awards program to recognize exceptional professionals in the exhibitions and events industry. Each year, industry professionals who meet the outlined criteria can be nominated for any of the awards listed at www.iaee.com/awards. Nominations must be submitted to IAEE by June 13. "One of the best perks in working in this industry is the number of motivated, passionate professionals involved," said 2014 IAEE Awards Committee Chair David Audrain. He added, "You see this in… more
Author Adam Grant Tapped as Opening General Session Speaker for ASAE Annual Meeting alt
Apr 14, 2014
More than 6,000 nonprofit and association professionals are expected to attend the 2014 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition Aug. 9-12 at Nashville’s Music City Center. Attendees now can register  on the 2014 Annual Meeting & Exposition website, which includes information on all the speakers, more than 120 education sessions, registration, hotels, and events. Have you ever wondered how to use networking, collaboration, influence, negotiation, and leadership skills to improve individual and team performance? Opening General Speaker Adam Grant, author of “Give and Take: A… more
Apr 13, 2014
Turning a major spotlight onto the value of meetings, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events will launch of the first-ever Exhibitions Day. The two-day event will be an industry-wide effort to educate federal legislators, helping them to understand the impact of regulatory decisions on the exhibitions and events industry, according to IAEE officials.   On tap June 16-17, Exhibitions Day will be in Washington, D.C. and was developed in collaboration with multiple industry organizations who have come together to develop and support this critical initiative to ensure… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.